“Deep Throat” (Informant), City of Scottsboro Employee Comes Forward - Part 1 January 28, 2016

Scottsboro City Hall (photo by G Morgan)

"Deep Throat" - City of Scottsboro - Part 1

Multi-part interview of ‘a concerned Scottsboro City Employee’ ( ‘ ‘ indicates name redacted) during the last week of January 2016 (specific date and time removed). Names have been redacted, governmental political or appointed positions remain intact.

My lead off statement to informant: “‘You’ (first name redacted) had contacted me and asked if I could keep your name confidential for an interview, is that correct,” informant's reply, “yes.” My reply, ”This  interview is appreciated and your name will be kept confidential”

Comments to informant: “You stated on the phone that you had concerns about the mayor and events which have occurred regarding Scottsboro's Mayor, his treatment of city employees, and that you think the public should be made aware of "deceitful statements" from the mayor regarding political influences. Is that correct? ‘Yes.’ You also stated that you have a picture which you would like to show me and allow me to make a copy of the picture for publication on my blog, is that correct?” Informant stated “yes.” 

Lead-off statement: “Are you relaxed, can I get you a coke, coffee, water? Informant stated, “No Thanks, not now.” I asked: “Do you mind if I record this interview?” Informant stated, “That’s ok, but will you save the recording?” My reply was, “The recording is needed to make a transcript of the interview, is that ok?” Informant said “yes,” but ask, “Could you erase the tape after it is transcribed.” My reply, “sure I’ll do that, why do you ask this?” Informant stated, “not that I do not trust you, but I need to keep my job.” My reply, “That’s understandable, if you have some time stick around, I’ll transcribe this immediately and you can watch me erase the recording and you can check out what I have prepared for my blog’s article posting.” Informant said, “that’ll work.”

“Tell me what is on your mind, relax, let you thoughts flow, if I have a question I’ll ask you.”

I know ‘the Mayor’ (name redacted), I work for the City of Scottsboro.  Some may say "I am one of his buddies". I would like to give the public insight into what has really happened and I’ll probably be the next targeted employee, but I want to state some facts as I know them. There are many things that ain’t right.

I’ve decided to talk because what has happened to employees is wrong. This entire situation is wrong. It should have never happened. This week the Mayor made comments that all allegations are false and politically motivated by people running against him. I do not believe that’s true. As far as I know, the employees supported him, I used to support him, but not now

 I have heard this mess about our ‘HR Director’ (name redacted) and I knew her before she came to work for the city. I believe ‘she’ (name redacted) started here about 3 years ago. She has always been friendly, nice and helpful.

 I know two things happened within the first months ‘she’ (name redacted) came to the city.

(Hesitation, pause, I asked: What were the two things that happened which you remember, and are you speaking about ‘the HR Director’ (name redacted).)

Yes, ‘the HR Director’ (name redacted).

Picture of ‘HR Director’s’ breast area as provided by informant.

(1)   The 1st couple weeks ‘she’ (name redacted) had a picture taken of her by ‘a male department head’ (name redacted) while she was shopping at Home Depot. The picture was taken without her knowledge. The picture was of her breast area. ‘The Department head’ (name redacted) texted the picture around, it was a biggest boob contest. I do not want to say to ‘us’ (part redacted) but I will say I was texted the picture. I know ‘the HR director’ (name redacted) was told about it. I remember how upset ‘she’ (name redacted) was. I know ’she’ (name redacted) complained to the mayor about it. (Informant hands me a picture.)

Question to informant: “Is this the picture you wanted for me to copy?” Informant’s answer: “Yes.” (Picture above)

 (2) ‘The Mayors wife’ (name redacted) came to city hall one evening. ‘She’ (name redacted) asked the ‘HR Director’ (name redacted) if she was having an affair with her husband. There was a big fuss and discussion about this with my friends at work. I remember ‘the HR Director’ (name redacted) said she had no idea who the lady was or what his wife's name was.

The mayor brought over ‘a female employee’ (name redacted) from his previous city position, before he was mayor. What a mess that was, ‘the mayor’s wife’ (name redacted) went to ‘the female employee’ (name redacted) accusing her of stealing her husband. The police knew about this and so do others.

I know ‘the mayor's wife’ (name redacted) came back to city hall sometime toward the beginning of last year and harassed the ‘HR Director’ (name redacted) because she thought an affair was going on between the mayor and the ‘HR Director’ (name redacted).

I will never forget the mayor bragging about throwing cell phones at his wife because of the fights he gets into with her. 

I think we deserve to work without the mayor's personal problems affecting our work. Nobody wants to listen to stories he tells us about his home life, but we have to listen if we want to stay on his good side.

END of Part 1 - “Deep Throat” (Informant), City of Scottsboro Employee Comes Forward